Stenting techniques for coronary bifurcation disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis demonstrates superiority of double-kissing crush in complex lesions.

Objective: This study was aimed to compare different stenting techniques for coronary bifurcation disease (CBD).

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial for CBD; over the years, several stent techniques for bifurcation lesions have been used. Current guidelines recommend a provisional single-stent strategy as the preferred method for coronary artery bifurcation lesions.

Serum RANKL levels in Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a meta-analysis.

Objective: We aimed to determine the association between serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (sRANKL) levels and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Chinese patients.

Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Database, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, and Wan Fang databases were searched for studies conducted before October 1, 2020, without language restrictions. STATA version 12.

Intradialytic BP variability is associated with cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization in HD patients.

Introduction: Studies showed that pre-dialysis BP variability (BPV) was an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among HD patients, but which is limited on how intradialytic BPV affects prognosis.

Methods: In this study, we designed a retrospective cohort study to examine the association between intradialytic BPV and CVD outcomes in HD patients. A total of 202 patients who underwent HD in our center were included, and all intradialytic BP measurements of November 2017 were obtained from the database.

Procalcitonin-guided initiation of antibiotics in AECOPD inpatients: study protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Current antibiotic prescription for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is generally based on the Anthonisen criteria in The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD) guideline that have a potential risk of antibiotics overuse. The dilemma is to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from antibiotics while avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use. Procalcitonin (PCT), a more sensitive and specific biomarker of bacterial infection than other conventional laboratory tests, has the potential to determine those patients in whom antibiotics would be beneficial.

Assisting scalable diagnosis automatically via CT images in the combat against COVID-19.

The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is causing enormous loss of life globally. Prompt case identification is critical. The reference method is the real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay, whose limitations may curb its prompt large-scale application.

CT and MRI features of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen: A report of 18 patients with pathologic correlation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of the spleen and correlate imaging features with those obtained at histopathologic analysis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 18 patients (9 men, 9 women; mean age, 42.2±10.

Efficacy of Chemiluminescence Immunoassays on VCA-IgA and EBNA1-IgA Antibodies of Epstein-Barr Virus in Diagnosing Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

IgA antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen (VCA) and nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) have been proposed to facilitate the diagnosis and early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in high-incidence regions. However, while new methodologies and new platforms for the detection of VCA-IgA and EBNA1-IgA have become available, proper interassay simultaneous comparisons have not been carried out. The study was to compare the performance of the chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for VCA-IgA and EBNA1-IgA antibodies, and to evaluate the levels of EBV antibodies in healthy population from different areas of China.

Correlation between osteoarthritis and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression: a meta-analysis.

Objective: We evaluated the association between monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and osteoarthritis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP (Chinese database), and Wan Fang (Chinese database) (before May 10, 2020), with no language limitations. STATA version 12.

Staged angioplasty versus regular carotid artery stenting in patients with carotid artery stenosis at high risk of hyperperfusion: a randomised clinical trial.

Background And Purpose: Hyperperfusion (HP) is a devastating complication associated with carotid artery stenting (CAS) or endarterectomy. The efficacy and safety of staged angioplasty (SAP) in patients with CAS at high risk of HP remains unclear. We sought to determine whether SAP is superior to regular CAS in patients with high risk of HP.

Matrine inhibits proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells by downregulating ERK1/2 signaling pathways.

Objective: To research the effect of matrine on the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells through extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway.

Methods: HepG2 cell was selected and divided into blank control group, experimental group (matrine 1, 2, and 4 mg/mL), and positive control group (PD98059, ERK1/2 inhibitor). MTT measure was used to detect the effective time and concentration which matrine inhibits HepG2 cells.

Patient Education Programs in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Patient education is crucial for improving disease outcomes in atopic dermatitis (AD). This review aims to summarize evidence about the effectiveness of educational programs for parents of pediatric AD patients.

Methods: PubMed and Embase (inception to Feb 2020) were searched and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English were included.

[Application value of diffusion-weighted imaging signal pattern in the qualitative diagnosis of renal lesions with T(2)WI hypointensity].

To analyze the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) signal pattern in renal lesions with T(2)WI hypointensity. Retrospective analysis was performed on DWI imaging datasets of 135 renal lesions with hypointentsity on T(2)WI confirmed by surgery, biopsy, or follow-up in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from February 2016 to February 2017.One hundred and thirty-five renal lesions,43 benign lesions(age from 28 to 70 years,mean age was 43.

Challenges in the ethics review process of clinical scientific research projects in China.

Purpose: Ethics review processes have become increasingly complex. The objective of this study was to explore the challenges currently faced in ethics reviews of clinical scientific research projects in China, with the goal of standardizing the structure of medical ethics committees and better protecting the rights and interests of research participants.

Methods: We reviewed and comprehensively analyzed the available literature discussing standardized ethics reviews of clinical scientific research projects.

Increased IFN-γ-producing Th17/Th1 cells and their association with lung function and current smoking status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Th17 cells are believed to be important proinflammatory cells in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recent evidence demonstrates that Th17 cells display substantial developmental plasticity, giving rise to Th17/Th1 cells that secret both IL-17 and IFN-γ and are more pathogenic in inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of circulating Th17/Th1 subpopulation and its association with disease severity in patients with COPD.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation mimicking lung cancer: A case report.

Rationale: Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a rare developmental deformity of the lower respiratory tract. The disease occurs more in newborns. However, on rare occasions, CPAM can be found in adults.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Atraumatic Splenic Rupture: Experience of 8 Cases.

Atraumatic splenic rupture (ASR) is rare but life threatening. In this study, we retrospectively described our experience on the diagnosis and treatment of 8 patients (male: 6; female: 2; mean age: 49.6) with ASR.

FGF21 protects myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through reduction of miR-145-mediated autophagy.

Aims: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays a critical role in protecting against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the molecular mechanism is not completely understood. Here, we aimed to examine whether miRNA-145 (miR-145) is involved in FGF21 protection against myocardial I/R injury through angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2) and autophagy.

[Short-term deep sedation strategy in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term deep sedation strategy in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) after surgery.

Methods: A perspective, randomized, parallel-group study was conducted. Adult patients with spontaneous ICH and undergoing craniotomy admitted to Daxing Teaching Hospital of Capital Medical University from December 2015 to November 2016 were enrolled.

Bispectral Index Can Reliably Detect Deep Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Validation Study.

Background: Excessively deep sedation is prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients and often considered suboptimal. We hypothesized that the bispectral index (BIS), a quantified electroencephalogram instrument, would accurately detect deep levels of sedation.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 90 critically ill mechanically ventilated patients who were receiving sedation.

Early prediction of organ failure under the revised Atlanta classification.

Background/aims: This study aimed to compare the ability of conventional laboratory markers and scoring systems to early predict organ failure (OF) and to differentiate between transient and persistent OF in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) using the revised Atlanta classification.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 214 patients with AP between January 2014 and July 2015. The predictive values of laboratory markers were analyzed.

Volume-Targeted Versus Pressure-Limited Noninvasive Ventilation in Subjects With Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Volume-targeted noninvasive ventilation (VT-NIV), a hybrid mode that delivers a preset target tidal volume (V) through the automated adjustment of pressure support, could guarantee a relatively constant target V over pressure-limited noninvasive ventilation (PL-NIV) with fixed-level pressure support. Whether VT-NIV is more effective in improving ventilatory status in subjects with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) remains unclear. Our aim was to verify whether, in comparison with PL-NIV, VT-NIV would be more effective in correcting hypercapnia, hence reducing the need for intubation and improving survival in subjects with AHRF.

Emergence agitation during recovery from intracranial surgery under general anaesthesia: a protocol and statistical analysis plan for a prospective multicentre cohort study.

Introduction: Emergence agitation after intracranial surgery is an important clinical issue during anaesthesia recovery. The aim of this multicentre cohort study is to investigate the incidence of emergence agitation, identify the risk factors and determine clinical outcomes in adult patients after intracranial surgery under general anaesthesia. Additionally, we will deliberately clarify the relationship between postoperative pneumocephalus and agitation.